Engineering
Management
Systems Engineering
Management
MSE607B
Chapter 8
System Engineering Program Evaluation
Learning Objectives




Explain the evaluation requirements of systems
engineering program
Describe benchmarking best practices in system
engineering
Explain the evaluation of system engineering
organization
Explain program reporting, feedback and control
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Evaluation Requirements

Established system engineering organization may be
involved in many different projects concurrently
 The system engineering organization must be able to
respond to all of the functions across the board and at the
same time
 Emphasis on “organizational development” and building
capability
 The manager needs to define organizational objectives,
goals and responsibilities.
 Establish benchmarking capability and a model for the
measurement and evaluation of the organization and its
operations
• Where are we today?
• How do we compare with the competition?
• Where would we like to be in the future?
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Benchmarking




Defined as “the continuous process of measuring products,
services, and practices against the toughest competitors of
those companies recognized as industry leaders” (Robert C.
Camp)
There have been a number of benchmarking studies, and a few
companies that practice concepts and principles of system
engineering implemented an active benchmarking effort
internally
The emphasis has been oriented directly to organizations and
the processes they use in accomplishing their day-to-day
functions
Need to first define company’s objectives in terms of product
output and then address the organizational characteristics
considered essential to successfully meet overall product goals
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Benchmarking (cont)
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Benchmarking (Cont)
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Evaluation of the System Engineering
Organization

Measure and evaluate the extent to which the system
engineering organization has progressed toward meeting
the goals
• Organization’s capability to meet desired level of
performance

There are some questions that should be addressed:
• Is the organization completing tasks effectively and
efficiently?
• Does management understand principles and concepts of
system engineering?
• Is there a commitment from the top down?
• What policies are currently being implemented?
• Standards, goals, and appropriate processes been
established?
• Has organization developed a plan for continuous
improvement?
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Program Reporting, Feedback, and
Control

System engineering evaluation highlight areas of
weakness where improvements can be realized

There are two steps that need to be addressed:
1. Determining ways for improvement of internal processes
within the system engineering organization
2. Determining possible impact of changes in the processes
being implemented by the systems engineering organization
on any external and related organizational structures

Proper environment must be established within the overall
organizational to result in improvement

Proposed changes cannot be initiated in a vacuum
• Must be a mutual commitment throughout the organization
• Must be a vehicle to initiate organizational improvement
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Summary

Explained the evaluation requirements of
systems engineering program
 Described benchmarking best practices in
system engineering
 Explained the evaluation of system engineering
organization
 Explained program reporting, feedback and
control
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Interactive Workshop

Benchmarking is defined as the continuous process
of:
a)
b)
c)
d)
Measuring employee performance against the toughest
competitors
Measuring products, services, and practices against the
toughest competitors
Measuring products, services, and practices against the
weakest competitors
Measuring employee performance against the weakest
competitors
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Interactive Workshop

Program Reporting, Feedback, and Control can be
successfully implemented providing:
a) A mutual commitment exist throughout the
organization
b) Proposed changes are not initiated in a vacuum
c) A vehicle exist to initiate organizational
improvement
d) All of the above
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Interactive Workshop

Evaluation of the system engineering organization is
needed in order to determine:
a) The extent to which the organization has progressed
toward meeting the goals
b) The organization’s capability to meet desired level of
performance
c) The organization’s likelihood to remain successful and
get new program orders from customer
d) Both (a) and (b)
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Homework Assignment

Chapter 8 – Textbook page 391
• Answer questions 1, 3, 6, 7, and 9.


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Finalize Project Presentation & Report
Complete Research Assignment Peer Review
Report
Start to study for final exam
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Questions? Comments?
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